Emma L. Neper
June 16th, 1940 - December 21st, 2024
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Emma's Obituary
Emma L. Neper age 84 of South Haven, Michigan passed away peacefully on Saturday December 21, 2024 after a brief battle with an aggressive form of lymphoma.
She was born June 16, 1940 in Indianapolis, IN to the late Donald and Dorothy Schick and was the sixth of eight children. She attended St. Joan of Arc Grade School and graduated from St. Agnes Academy in 1958. She continued her education at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN where she earned a degree in Education in 1962.
Em started her professional career in Special Education in the Indianapolis School District and continued for decades in West Bend, WI. Her teaching career in Special Education was a true calling and her devotion was reflective of who she was as a nurturing and loving person. She cared deeply for her students, and she had a positive impact on them and their families’ lives. She retired from teaching in 1999.
She was united in marriage to Roger on November 23, 1963 and they shared 61 years of love, devotion, and happiness. Together they raised their family in Indianapolis, IN, Glen Ellyn, IL and West Bend, WI. Em and Roger retired in South Haven in the Summer of 2000 and she immediately became a vibrant and contributing parishioner at St. Basil Catholic Church.
Em loved spending days on the beaches of Lake Michigan with her family picnicking, swimming, and playing Sequence. She kept her mind sharp by solving Sudoku, playing brain games, and researching generations of family history. Always active, she stayed fit by logging thousands of miles on her stationary bike and riding her bicycle with friends on the paved trails in South Haven. She played competitive tennis in her younger years and started playing pickleball at age 83 where she was welcomed and embraced by the local players. It kept her active and fueled her competitive spirit. She cheered for the Chicago Cubs, the Butler Bulldogs, and reflective of where she lived throughout her life the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers, and the Detroit Lions.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years Roger and their children Robert (Robin Mucha) of Chicago, IL Barbara (Dale) Throop of Grant, MI and David (Jessica Nast) of Fox Point, WI. Her beloved grandchildren Riley, Chase, Zackery, Jared, Hadley, and Jessica. Her siblings James Schick, Mary Ellen (Leo) Hahn, and Robert (Martha) Schick. Brother in-law and sister in-law Jim (Nancy) Neper of Grand Rapids, MI. She is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Em shared a special bond and deep friendship throughout her life with her identical twin Mary Ellen.
She was preceded in death by her infant daughter Christine, her parents and in-laws, and her siblings Donald Schick, Lawrence Schick, D’Anne Schick, and William Schick.
Em lived her life with boundless energy and a positive attitude. She lived her strong faith through her volunteer work and giving to others. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her and her spirit will live on.
The family would like to thank the staffs at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids and The Oaks at Jamestown in Hudsonville, MI who provided compassionate and loving care to Em in her final days.
Receiving hours will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday January 4th 2025 at St. Basil Catholic Church at 513 Monroe Blvd, South Haven, MI 49090, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of Em’s life at 12:00 p.m., also at St. Basil Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Em’s memory to St. Basil Catholic Church. Those who choose to leave a memory of Em may do so at www.starksfamilyfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
She was born June 16, 1940 in Indianapolis, IN to the late Donald and Dorothy Schick and was the sixth of eight children. She attended St. Joan of Arc Grade School and graduated from St. Agnes Academy in 1958. She continued her education at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN where she earned a degree in Education in 1962.
Em started her professional career in Special Education in the Indianapolis School District and continued for decades in West Bend, WI. Her teaching career in Special Education was a true calling and her devotion was reflective of who she was as a nurturing and loving person. She cared deeply for her students, and she had a positive impact on them and their families’ lives. She retired from teaching in 1999.
She was united in marriage to Roger on November 23, 1963 and they shared 61 years of love, devotion, and happiness. Together they raised their family in Indianapolis, IN, Glen Ellyn, IL and West Bend, WI. Em and Roger retired in South Haven in the Summer of 2000 and she immediately became a vibrant and contributing parishioner at St. Basil Catholic Church.
Em loved spending days on the beaches of Lake Michigan with her family picnicking, swimming, and playing Sequence. She kept her mind sharp by solving Sudoku, playing brain games, and researching generations of family history. Always active, she stayed fit by logging thousands of miles on her stationary bike and riding her bicycle with friends on the paved trails in South Haven. She played competitive tennis in her younger years and started playing pickleball at age 83 where she was welcomed and embraced by the local players. It kept her active and fueled her competitive spirit. She cheered for the Chicago Cubs, the Butler Bulldogs, and reflective of where she lived throughout her life the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers, and the Detroit Lions.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years Roger and their children Robert (Robin Mucha) of Chicago, IL Barbara (Dale) Throop of Grant, MI and David (Jessica Nast) of Fox Point, WI. Her beloved grandchildren Riley, Chase, Zackery, Jared, Hadley, and Jessica. Her siblings James Schick, Mary Ellen (Leo) Hahn, and Robert (Martha) Schick. Brother in-law and sister in-law Jim (Nancy) Neper of Grand Rapids, MI. She is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Em shared a special bond and deep friendship throughout her life with her identical twin Mary Ellen.
She was preceded in death by her infant daughter Christine, her parents and in-laws, and her siblings Donald Schick, Lawrence Schick, D’Anne Schick, and William Schick.
Em lived her life with boundless energy and a positive attitude. She lived her strong faith through her volunteer work and giving to others. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her and her spirit will live on.
The family would like to thank the staffs at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids and The Oaks at Jamestown in Hudsonville, MI who provided compassionate and loving care to Em in her final days.
Receiving hours will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday January 4th 2025 at St. Basil Catholic Church at 513 Monroe Blvd, South Haven, MI 49090, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of Em’s life at 12:00 p.m., also at St. Basil Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Em’s memory to St. Basil Catholic Church. Those who choose to leave a memory of Em may do so at www.starksfamilyfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
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